Those closest to the source have the earliest advantage.

Inside the Chunhui Hall, Madam Wu stood respectfully before Xu Guiyi, accompanied by a group of palace attendants, reporting on domestic affairs with utmost deference.

Xu Guiyi was inclined toward leisure; after helping His Highness the Crown Prince welcome several consorts into the Eastern Palace, she had divided the palace’s internal affairs into four sectors, entrusting each to an experienced matron, with Madam Wu overseeing them all. Madam Wu would then come to Chunhui Hall every ten days to give her report.

Though it was well known in Guangling that the Crown Prince did not favor his princess, Xu Guiyi’s virtue, her powerful maternal family, and the Empress’s fondness for her ensured that no one in the Eastern Palace dared show the slightest disrespect.

Xu Guiyi was reading a book when Madam Wu finished her account. Xu’s clear voice rang out, “The Princess Dowager Qingyan is His Highness’s grandaunt. Her seventieth birthday must, of course, be treated with the utmost care. Madam Wu, is His Highness informed?”

Madam Wu’s previously smiling face fell as her eyes lowered. Calmly, she replied, “His Majesty summoned His Highness to the palace a quarter of an hour ago.”

At this, Xu Guiyi paused in turning the page and quickly asked, “Do you know what the matter concerns?”

Madam Wu shook her head. “I do not, Your Highness.”

Xu Guiyi set the book aside with a sigh. “Very well. As for the birthday tribute, I’ll discuss it with His Highness tomorrow. If anything needs to be amended, we should do it early. There are a few more matters that require your attention...” Madam Wu remained bowed, listening intently as Xu Guiyi gave her instructions in detail.

In her heart, Madam Wu weighed her mistress: resilient in spirit, clear of mind, steady in judgment—given time, this Crown Princess would surely become a formidable matriarch.

Madam Wu spoke once more. “There is another matter, Your Highness.”

Affairs of the Eastern Palace had grown numerous these days, and Xu Guiyi’s elegant brows drew into a pronounced frown. She asked, not without impatience, “What else is there?”

Madam Wu’s tone softened. “Since her wedding, Lady Cheng has remained at the Duke of Cheng’s residence. Shall we send someone to inquire after her?”

Xu Guiyi’s mind returned to the day of the consorts’ reception. She asked again, “Lady Cheng? The one who, less than three days after entering the palace, requested leave to return home and tend to her grandmother?”

“Yes,” Madam Wu replied. “Lady Cheng is the second daughter of the Duke of Cheng. The dowager at the Cheng residence has been ill for some time. Lady Cheng petitioned Her Majesty the Empress for leave to care for her grandmother at home.”

Xu Guiyi straightened, hesitated, and asked, “Is the dowager’s illness very serious?”

Madam Wu answered, “It’s said Her Majesty even dispatched an imperial physician from the palace, but there’s been no improvement. Perhaps, at her advanced age, recovery is slow.” This was why Lady Cheng could disregard protocol and remain at her family home.

Xu Guiyi gestured. “I understand. You may go.” Most of the attendants dispersed at once.

After Madam Wu and the others had left, Xiyue, brows knit, asked, “Your Highness, why are you suddenly concerned for the Dowager at the Duke of Cheng’s?”

Xu Guiyi replied matter-of-factly, “Since I just inquired after Lady Cheng, it is only natural to ask about her family’s situation as well.”

Xiyue remained puzzled. “But Lady Cheng comes from such a distinguished house. The Empress seems very fond of her—otherwise she’d never have granted such an indulgence.”

“Of course she’s fond of her. Have you forgotten what Second Sister once said? Lady Cheng often entered the palace as a child, practically growing up before the Empress’s eyes.”

Xu Guiyi spoke offhandedly, but Xiyue regarded this as astonishing. “If that’s so, why did the Empress look afar for a bride and send a painter south to Jiangdong? Why did Lady Cheng not become the Crown Princess herself?”

By birth, the Xu family held only a nominal title, while the Duke of Cheng’s house was an actual first-rank military marquisate.

As the saying goes, ‘the pavilion closest to the water enjoys the moonlight first.’ If the lady of the Cheng family had been willing to marry into the Eastern Palace, would there have been any place for Xu Guiyi?

Indeed, matters were rarely so straightforward.

Xu Guiyi patted Xiyue’s head with a smile. “Well done, your little mind grows ever sharper.”

Xiyue, in a burst of affection, called out, “Miss!” Only when she was acting coy did Xiyue ever address her mistress so intimately.

“All right, don’t fret over this.” Xu Guiyi changed the topic. “For Princess Dowager Qingyan’s birthday, all the ladies of the Eastern Palace have been invited. Go to Xiling Pavilion and check on An Baolin’s health. If she needs any medicine or supplies, take what you need from the storeroom.”

Xiyue bowed. “Yes, I’ll go at once. But there’s nothing she lacks—did you not know, Your Highness, that the Crown Prince himself instructed the physicians and Madam Wu? Should Xiling Pavilion want for anything, it must be provided immediately, lest An Baolin’s recovery be delayed.” Her tone was tinged with grievance.

Xu Guiyi was a little surprised. “The four of us entered the Eastern Palace one after another, and I thought the Prince ignored us all. Who would have thought he treats An Baolin somewhat differently?”

Xiyue pursed her lips. “Exactly. That’s what I heard from the other maids when they chatted.”

Xu Guiyi tilted her head and regarded Xiyue. “When did you become so friendly with the palace staff, calling them sisters?”

Xiyue quickly lowered her head. “It’s all to gather news for Your Highness. I must be clever.”

Xu Guiyi snorted softly. “Second Sister taught you that before she left the capital, didn’t she?”

Xiyue’s head sank lower. “Yes, she did.”

Xu Guiyi shook her head. “Enough, get to Xiling Pavilion. And remember, say these things only in front of me—never in front of others. You came with me from my family home; your words and actions reflect upon the Xu family and myself. Do you understand?”

At this, Xiyue bowed deeply. “I shall remember the Crown Princess’s words. I will be cautious and never bring shame to you or the Xu family.”

“Good, off you go,” Xu Guiyi replied succinctly.

Of the three consorts in the Eastern Palace, one, due to illness, avoided all company; another, tending the sick, remained at her family home.

How amusing!

Having finished the matter of the consorts, now she must trouble herself with the Princess Dowager Qingyan’s celebration. Xu Guiyi felt as if she had not married a husband, but had instead taken up a post dealing exclusively with the affairs of imperial kin.

The Dayi dynasty had stood for over a century, spanning five reigns. The imperial clan had flourished; even without counting distant branches, there were dozens of close relatives. The number of titled nobles connected to the throne exceeded a hundred.

To say nothing of the others, the Emperor’s several uncles, Fulanchen’s uncles, the Empress’s maternal kin, and the various princesses’ households altogether numbered in the double digits.

Xu Guiyi dared not slacken in the slightest. She seized her opportunity and intercepted Fulanchen at the door of Yonghui Tower. There, in the early autumn breeze, she waited a full stick of incense’s time before finally settling the question of the Princess Dowager’s birthday tribute with him.

For this, Xiyue felt a pang of sympathy for her mistress. While other couples shared tender moments behind silk curtains, Fulanchen and Xu Guiyi stood outside Yonghui Tower, side by side in the cold wind.

No matter how gentle Xu Guiyi’s manner or tone, Fulanchen never once showed her a pleasant face.

In Xiyue’s eyes, the Crown Prince Fulanchen was little different from the golden guardian statues at temple gates: severe, cold, unsmiling, and unyielding.

Today was the customary day for paying respects to the Emperor and Empress, so Xu Guiyi rose early, prepared herself quickly, and waited at the door of Yonghui Tower, hoping to enter the palace with Fulanchen to pay their respects together.

In the Changqiu Palace, the Empress was beaming as she praised Xu Guiyi. “How filial of the Crown Princess to devote such care to the Princess Dowager’s birthday tribute. Had you not asked today, I would have called you and your husband in for instructions myself.”

Xu Guiyi answered with the utmost humility. “Your Majesty flatters me; I dare not accept such praise. The many details of the tribute were decided together with His Highness.”

The Empress’s smile widened. “All the better. This is how a couple should be—discussing things together, putting in mutual effort. As long as the two of you work at it, life will go well. Chen’er, do you hear me?” The double meaning was plain, the words meant for her son.

“I shall remember Your Majesty’s guidance,” Xu Guiyi replied.

“Yes, I hear you, Mother,” Fulanchen said.

Xu Guiyi smiled with dignified composure, while Fulanchen’s smile was cold as ice.

The three then spoke of the Princess Dowager’s celebration and the Dowager of the Cheng family’s illness. The Empress was in high spirits, rummaging through old keepsakes and sharing stories from the past.

Noting the shifting hues upon Fulanchen’s face, Xu Guiyi could not help but find it amusing. When they rose, it was nearly noon, so they stayed in Changqiu Palace for lunch.

Unexpectedly, from the Noble Consort in the Southern Palace came a delivery of delicacies and rare curios.

The head eunuch of Hebi Palace, named Qiu He, was fair and plump, his smiling eyes full of cheer. “The Noble Consort heard that His Highness and the Crown Princess were visiting Her Majesty today and, having recently received new treasures from the south, asked me to bring them as gifts for your enjoyment.”

Xu Guiyi’s gaze flickered over the two brocade boxes, which brimmed with southern jade and antiques of elegant form and fine quality. Two more boxes held delicate pastries: thousand-leaf cakes, golden-threaded confections, Linghu snow dumplings, and loquat jelly—all familiar treats from her days in Lanzhou.

The Empress, seated in regal composure, let her cool gaze rest lightly on Qiu He as she offered a faint smile. “Thank the Noble Consort for me. One day soon, I shall call at Hebi Palace in person to convey my gratitude.” She signaled for her chief maid, Rendong, to accept the gifts.

Qiu He, hands raised, presented the items to Rendong, smiling amiably. “Her Majesty is too kind. As long as you are pleased, so is the Noble Consort.”

At these words, Xu Guiyi thought she heard the Empress give a cold laugh, but dared not turn to confirm it.

Though not adept at words, Xu Guiyi was keenly observant. Sitting at the Empress’s side, she took in the scene and recalled what her sister-in-law, Lady Shen, had once told her, and she understood.

The peonies that flourished in the gardens of Hebi Palace had been transplanted from the bustling Eastern Capital by order of the Emperor himself, a testament to the Noble Consort’s thirty years of unrivaled favor.

The Empress detested the Noble Consort of the Southern Palace—and thus, she detested peonies as well.